Surf Forecasts:
Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, ENE swell with 1,791 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kohala Lighthouse this week:
The surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kohala Lighthouse in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 12s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checkin’ in from the Kohala coast. We’ve got a long-range look at the Big Island’s North Shore, and I gotta be straight with you—it’s a rough start. The entire first week is a write-off. From Tuesday, August 11th right through Saturday, August 16th, it’s a mess of fresh cross-shore and cross-onshore winds, mostly from the east-northeast, with lumpy, choppy conditions. The combined swell energy is moderate at best, starting at 342 but climbing to a massive 1686 by Sunday the 16th, but that power is completely wasted. The swell is short-period, 7 to 10 seconds, and the wind is just killing it. Water temps are about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The standout window is Monday, August 17th. We finally get a clean-up. The wind goes glassy—5 mph from the west-southwest in the morning, swinging to straight west at 5 mph in the afternoon. That’s offshore for this spot. The swell drops a touch but stays solid, 8 ft from the NE in the morning, easing to 8 ft in the afternoon. Combined energy is still strong at 1247 and 927. The period is 10 seconds, a decent groundswell, so expect some power and shape. The wave comment says “glassy” and “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” in the morning. Remember, this is a reef break for advanced surfers only, and it’s consistent. It can get crowded sometimes, so get out early. This is the one to aim for.
After Monday, it’s back to the grind. From Tuesday, August 18th through the rest of the outlook, we’re looking at more cross-shore winds, lower energy (205 to 597), and short-period, messy swell. The surf stays poor, with no real standouts in the second week. It’s a long stretch of flat and choppy water.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a total loss. The only real session is Monday, August 17th at Kohala Lighthouse. That’s the call. The second week looks bleak, but it can change. Stick with it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon night, min 25°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 26°C on Thu night, min 25°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 204 | 328 | 244 | 199 | 208 | 240 | 219 | 261 | 348 | 370 | 414 | 482 | 592 | 736 | 1357 | 1645 | 1658 | 1489 | 1782 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:44AM0.43m | 2:52PM0.98m | 2:33AM0.48m | 3:26PM0.95m | 3:19AM0.53m | 3:57PM0.90m | 4:05AM0.58m | 4:24PM0.83m | 4:51AM0.61m | 4:48PM0.74m | 5:39AM0.63m | 5:07PM0.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:17PM0.23m | 7:32AM0.01m | 9:42PM0.21m | 8:20AM0.02m | 10:08PM0.18m | 9:04AM0.07m | 10:33PM0.17m | 9:48AM0.13m | 10:57PM0.15m | 10:31AM0.22m | 11:22PM0.15m | 11:17AM0.31m | 11:46PM0.15m | ||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  |  | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 6:54 | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 9 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 1645 | 1658 | 1489 | 1782 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 7 | W 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NE 11 | NW 8 | NW 7 | N 7 | N 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | S 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 15 | W 14 | NNW 9 | SW 19 | NNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 204 | 328 | 244 | 199 | 208 | 240 | 219 | 261 | 348 | 370 | 414 | 482 | 592 | 736 | 1357 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 69 | 76 | 76 | 69 | 73 | 73 | 57 | 71 | 69 | 54 | 69 | 69 | 57 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 77 | 8 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kohala Lighthouse Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kohala Lighthouse provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kohala Lighthouse can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Kohala Lighthouse) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Kohala Lighthouse is 87 km (54 miles) from Kihei. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kihei. Kihei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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